A Public Justice Vision for Canada’s Climate Action Plan

1 June 2016

Submission by Citizens for Public Justice to the Government of Canada’s climate portal

Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) is a national organization of members inspired by faith to act for justice in Canadian public policy. CPJ is supported by a broad, ecumenical membership across Canada and overseen by a national board of directors.

As Christians, we believe we are called to respect the dignity of every human being as image-bearers of God. We know that God gifts every person with both rights and responsibilities. A rightful claim to live in dignity, be respected by others and have access to resources needed to live out God’s calling. At the same time, we have a duty to act justly, care for creation, and work for peaceful and just relations within society at all levels.

Public justice is the political dimension of loving one’s neighbour. “As CPJ understands the teaching of Scripture, the role of government is to promote just relations between people within God’s creation, correct injustice in a way that restores relationships, protect the environment, and foster conditions that enhance the common good.”

This spring, CPJ is asking Canadian Christians why they care about government action on climate change. Grandmothers, students, construction workers, nuns, and nuclear physicists from across Canada are telling us—and the Government of Canada—how they are taking personal action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and how this is not enough: Canadian Christians want strong government action on climate change.

CPJ is calling for a Canadian climate action plan that establishes a new emissions reduction target based on scientific estimates of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions budget, and contributes equitably towards the 1.5°C limit on global warming aspired to in the Paris Agreement. To achieve this target, CPJ calling for the implementation of clear, quantifiable, time-bound measures to (1) reduce GHG emissions, (2) develop a low-carbon economy, and (3) provide justice for those most directly impacted by climate change.